We live in the southern hemisphere. This causes some interesting differences in life that I did not realize be- fore we moved here. For example, the sun is strongest in the morning and gentler in the afternoon, which is the opposite of the States. More significant is that the seasons are also the opposite - June, July and August are the winter months, while January and February comprise our summers. Thus, when schools let out for Christmas, it’s also summer vacation until the first or second week of March.
Mark as Gospel: Preface
During one of our less gratifying fund-raising experiences, the committee reviewing the team lined us up and asked each member how many people we had baptized. I looked self-consciously down at my belt to find not even a hint of a notch. The implication was clear: “You expect us to send you to evangelize in a foreign land when you don’t even do it right here?” It was a question already bouncing around in my own heart, though, causing no little indigestion. I had heard often enough that aspiring missionaries shouldn’t expect the mission field to be the cure for a lifestyle devoid of evangelization.
It was worrisome, to say the least.
The Apprentice: Arrival
I arrived in Arequipa, late Wednesday night, February 10th after what seemed like an endless journey. The journey began when I left Tucson, AZ on the 25th of January to travel to Memphis and Tullahoma, TN to visit with friends and the wonderful people at Cedar Lane once more, before leaving the country for the next two years.
Missionary Mom: Like a Child
It has been a humbling experience to live in this culture and not exactly be able to communicate how I would like. I am a people-person. I love to talk to people. But with my poor language skills (learning Spanish has not been my gift), I know that I sound like a child to so many. This has made me feel inadequate in so many ways. There have been many times that I question if I am really cut out for this role, but God has a way of using us despite our inadequacies.
Crossing Cultures: The Rhythm Is Gonna Get You
One of the cultural differences that I have come face-to-face with on multiple occasions is dancing. While living in the States, if someone said they “went dancing” or were at a party where they danced, my mental image would have been of colored or flashing lights, heavy rhythmic music, and body movements that, for the most part, would be inappropriate for me to duplicate. Only those who are trained and participate in some sort of dance group would be able to execute the more “acceptable” forms of dancing, such as ballroom styles, tap or ballet. You know, the “nicer” dances.
This is not the case in Peru.
Missionary Mom: All in a Year's Time
This month is a very special month on my timeline. It marks one year from last January. I realize that January is the beginning of a new year, but that isn’t the reason this month is special. So many things happened last January, and it is neat to see what has happened and is happening one year later.
CUDA View: The ICDU Team
Since the words ‘holistic ministry’ first left our mouths we’ve been explaining, and sometimes defending, our position on the work here in Arequipa. Taking our cues from Jesus’ own ministry we seek to reach those around us in a holistic way. We can no more just preach the news to people than only provide clean water to a new community.
Crossing Cultures: Peruvian American
One of the most difficult things about being a missionary is a very basic fact. We are American. We were born there, grew up there, understand how to function there, and will always have significant connections there. We will never stop being American in some aspect, no matter how much time we spend elsewhere or how hard we try to open our minds to new perspectives.
A New Year, A New Style
A word about the new look. First of all, we hope you, the reader, dig it. Our newsletters are for your benefit. The bit of extra work we put into this little publication is meant to make your reading experience more than just informational. And we figure, if we’re going to do something, we might as well kick it up a notch.